TAMPA, Fla. — It’s been 18 days since the Bucs fired offensive coordinator Byron Leftwich and five other assistant coaches. Three additional members of the staff retired.

Head coach Todd Bowles and general manager Jason Licht have interviewed seven candidates for Leftwich’s old job. In fact, Bengals quarterbacks coach Dan Pitcher will have a second meeting with the Bucs for that position this week. He interviewed virtually the first time while helping to prepare Cincinnati to play Kansas City in the AFC Championship Game.

The Bengals lost to the Chiefs 23-20 on Jan. 29. Pitcher has since signed a a lucrative contract extension to remain in Cincinnati but will still make the visit to Tampa.

The Bucs also have met at least once with Georgia offensive coordinator Todd Monken, Giants quarterbacks coach Shea Tierney, Broncos quarterbacks coach Klint Kubiak, Jaguars passing game coordinator Jim Bob Cooter, Vikings receivers coach Keenan McCardell and Saints passing game coordinator Ronald Curry.

Monken, who was the Bucs’ offensive coordinator from 2016-18, interviewed for a second time with the Ravens last week.

Why is it taking Tampa Bay so long to hire an offensive coordinator?

If you’re frustrated with the slow pace of the process, you’re not alone. So are the Bucs.

There are several reasons for the delay, which only breeds speculation. But a series of requirements by the NFL when hiring for a coordinator position has added a few necessary steps.

The situation is not unique to the Bucs. The NFL now requires teams to interview two minority candidates for coordinator positions. Teams also must interview two external candidates for every coordinator spot.

The Bucs have not indicated they are interested in promoting from within, so that hasn’t been a factor.

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